Treading carefully on mental health reform essential - Randerson

3.37.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Jun 2008

Jenny Randerson has warned that care must be taken when changing mental health provision in Wales

Welsh Lib Dem Spokesperson for Health and Social Care Jenny Randerson AM has advised the Health Minister to tread carefully on mental health reform.

The Minister today released a report from Professor Michael Williams, which recommends a single body to deliver and plan an integrated mental health service across Wales. The Minister is now considering her response to the report.

Jenny Randerson said: "Obviously at this stage, it has not been possible to undertake detailed scrutiny of the report and its proposals, but I am convinced that this must be handled carefully.

"A single body for mental health would separate it out form other health issues, and this could be dangerous. Many people require treatment for mental health issues, alongside other health issues. For example, when old people's physical health suffers, it can often lead on to mental health issues as well and I am concerned that divorcing these issues could be dangerous.

"I also believe that we could risk inadvertently increasing the stigma attached to mental health by such a separation.. There needs to be far greater understanding and tolerance towards mental health issues across society as a whole and breaking it away from the "normal" health service could work against this.

"The Minister must approach and take the views of those in the fields who see the practicalities of this, beyond the ideals of improving mental health systems in this country that we all subscribe to.

"If, as the Minister has stated, she is open to a detailed public debate surrounding these issues, then I look forward to this as mental health has been overlooked for far too long."

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